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Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and the digestive system and is the most common, fatal, genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. In the digestive tract, CF blocks the absorption of adequate nutrients from food. In the lungs, the effects of the disease are most devastating; and with time, respiratory problems become increasingly severe. Ultimately, most CF deaths are due to lung disease. Just thirty years ago, most children born with CF in Canada died before their fifth birthday. Today, thanks to the medical advances and research done right here in Canada, many are surviving into their thirties and beyond. The proceeds of this tournament are donated to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help fund research and to support families that are afflicted with this terrible disease - without Breath, there is no Life.
Did You Know...
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Cystic Fibrosis is the most frequent genetic disease in children.
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Read about "Cystic Fibrosis: A deadly Inheritance"
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One in 25 Canadians carry the defective gene responsible for CF - Carriers do not have CF. CF occurs when a child inherits two defective copies - one from each parent
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Canadian Researchers are viewed as leaders in the global effort to find a cure or control
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The Ontario and BC Governments recently announced that all babies born in will now be screened for Cystic Fibrosis. Alberta started this practice in 2007. Read about it here!
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For the first time ever, there are more adults than children with Cystic Fibrosis - a sure sign that all of the research is paying off! Read the Press Release!
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Of course, with longer life comes different complications ... read about the exciting research being done to support longer life in CF Patients here.
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The CF gene was discovered in 1989 at the University of Toronto by Dr. Lap Chee Tsui
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One error in a single gene - the error equivalent to a single misspelled word in one volume of a multivolume encyclopedia - leads to devastating effects
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Cystic Fibrosis = thick mucus, too much salt, not enough water
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Thick mucus clogs the lungs, cutting off the supply of oxygen and making it difficult to breathe - it is like breathing through a straw. In time, lung function shuts down.
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The mucus also blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing proper food digestion - CF patients must take a large number of pills (an average of over 20 per day) with every meal or snack to help them absorb adequate nutrition from their food.
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Cystic Fibrosis patients undergo rigorous physiotherapy programs, twice daily or more, to relieve the congestion in the lungs
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Because of the inevitable lung infections, lung transplants are becoming increasingly necessary and possible for people with late stages of Cystic Fibrosis -provided there is a transplant donor - please consider signing your donor card - Read more about organ donations & don't forget to tell your family your wishes!
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The current pace of CF Research suggests it is reasonable to be optimistic about finding a cure or effective control for Cystic Fibrosis in the years ahead
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We need your support!
Parts of the body affected:
- Skin - salty, leading to rapid dehydration in hot weather
- Lungs - leading to chronic congestion and infections
- Pancreas- leading to poor digestion requiring supplements
- Kidneys - leading to kidney failure
- Liver - leading to liver failure
- Bowels - leading to diarrhea and undigested food
- Bone - leading to early osteoporosis and slow growth
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For More Information about Cystic Fibrosis...
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
CCFF - London Chapter
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